Nuakhai the Replica of FOOD Culture of Western Orissa Tribal People a Case Study

The number of tribes that reside in Orissa is the highest anywhere in India. They are also the most backward in the economic ladder of Orissa. Different tribes have different culture, traditions, language and rituals. Various tribes engage in different occupations, but most are either into agriculture, fishing or hunting. Nuakhai is the agricultural festival of the tribal people. It is culture of the tribal dominated area of Western of Orissa. It is a festival for the worship for food grain. It has its best celebration in Western Orissa. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season. It is observed a panchamitithi (the fifth day) of the lunar fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada or Bhaadara (Aug-Sep) the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.  It is a social festival of  kosal tribe in Western Orissa. Thus the study explains the ancient origin and current significance of Nuakhai as most important agricultural festival which played a major   role in promoting agriculture as a way of life. Nuakhai is now celebrated as a symbol of sambalpuri culture and heritage. Nuakhai is the occasions were tribal people dedicated their first food  grain of the year totheir deity to get Her blessing. The rituals of Nuakhai are first observed at the temple of the reigning deity of the area or to the village deity. Afterwards the people worship in their respective homes and offer rituals to their domestic deity Lakshmi (the deity of the wealth) Thereafter follows the Nuakhai Juhar, which is the exchange of greetings with friends, well-wishers and relatives. This symbolizes unity.